Resort Details

Temperatures

The ultimate diving adventure! Enjoy the relaxed, laid back atmosphere of Marsa Shagra, a unique location the likes of which you will not find anywhere else in the world. Marsa Shagra offers an unlimited diving concept where you can dive as much, or as little as you like.

Established over 20 years ago, Marsa Shagra was discovered by Hossam Helmy and his Red Sea Diving Safari team whilst exploring the fringe reef on the Egyptian coastline between Safaga and Sudan.

At Marsa Shagra, Hossam has endeavoured to promote sustainable tourism along with eco diving and his educational diving programmes are a continuation of his desire to ensure the long term future of this area.

As well as unlimited access to Marsa Shagra's extensive and diverse house reef, this unique tour gives divers exclusive access to many other outstanding reefs including Elphinstone, Dolphin House Reef (Samadai) and Abu Dabbab, where if you are lucky you might spot the elusive Dugong.

Our guests say these villages are the best value and all-round diving experience you will find in the Red Sea. With the hyperbaric chamber and medical centre on site it is a perfect location for divers.

Marsa Shagra is the larger of the villages and is suitable for all levels of qualification from non divers to instructors – there really is something for everyone. Now we can also offer Technical Diving Courses at Marsa Shagra.

All of the Oonasdivers team have extensive knowledge of all three villages and will be able to help you decide which of these stunning villages best suits you.

It is also possible to combine Marsa Shagra, Marsa Nakari and Wadi Lahami in one trip, spending time at two or even all locations.

Marsa Shagra Village is a unique concept, superbly located to provide the very best diving in this southern area. As a guest you are completely free to dive at leisure and relax in one of the most peaceful of environments on the planet.

The tents are one of the village hallmarks and an exciting experience of how the Red Sea Diving Safari concept all began. The tents are on the beach-front and the interior is 3.5x3.5 meters with hand-made furniture, lighting, electricity outlet and a seating area just a few meters from the shoreline. Tents are available with 2 single beds and share a communal bathroom facility. Shower towels are available if needed from the reception (free of charge) and beach towels can be rented on site for a fee.

This accommodation is included in our published prices. There is no additional charge for a single Tent during the months of January, February, June, July, August & December.

Royal Tents

The Royal Tent is the most popular accommodation option and an integral part of Red Sea Diving Safari's minimal impact concept. The interior is 5x5 meters and well furnished with a minibar, fan, bean bag chairs and table, and a seating area just a few meters from the shoreline. Royal Tents are available with a double bed or two singles and share a communal bathroom facility. Shower towels are available if needed from the reception (free of charge) and beach towels can be rented on site for a fee.

You can upgrade to a Royal Tent for £25 per person (based on a 7 night stay). Single supplement applies.

Mandarah Lodges

The Mandarah Lodges are simple, dome-roofed rooms, measuring 3.5 x 3.5 meters. They are set on the beach, slightly back from the shoreline but offer uninterrupted sea views. They feature two single beds, bedside table with a lamp, a wardrobe, and a fan. Mandarah Lodges share a communal bathroom facility and shower towels are available if needed from the reception (free of charge). Beach towels can be rented on site for a fee.

Madyafa Guest Houses

The Madyafa Guest House is a standard room overlooking the spectacular mountains on one side and the Red Sea on the other. There are terraces on either side with breathtaking views and every room enjoys an unobstructed sea view. The guest houses are 4x6 meters and feature either double beds or singles, a wardrobe, side and dressing table and a fan. They feature an en-suite bathroom and towels are provided for showering. Beach towels are available for a fee.

You can upgrade to a Madyafa Guest House for £100 per person (based on a 7 night stay). Single supplement applies.

Madyafa Guest Houses with Air Conditioning

The Madyafa Guest House with Air Conditioning is the finest room standard overlooking the spectacular mountains on one side and the Red Sea on the other. There are terraces on either side with breathtaking views and every room enjoys an unobstructed sea view. The Madyafa Guest Houses with Air Conditoning are 4x6 meters with either a double bed or singles and feature wardrobe, side & dressing table, AC, digital safe, mini-bar and a water kettle with coffee and tea. Madyafa Guest Houses with Air Conditioning feature an en-suite bathroom and towels are provided for showering. Beach towels are available for a fee.

As well as unlimited house reef diving and 2 orientation dives you also have a wealth of other dive sites to choose from. Please note all of the dive sites below are optional and can be booked and paid for on site.

Red Sea Diving Safari's diving program across all 3 of their villages covers over 60 dive sites which are categorised into a 'zoning system'. From Marsa Shagra the zones are as follows:

For a small supplement you can opt to take the Guided Package which includes unlimited house reef diving, 2 orientation dives with a guide on the house reef on the first day, and a further 8 zone A dives to be taken from days 2-5. Zone A dives are all of the dive sites accessed from the shore (by truck/microbus) and generally 2 are offered each day.

We can arrange direct flights from Gatwick to Marsa Alam each Wednesday.

It is also possible to fly from Gatwick and Manchester into Hurghada on a Monday and Friday and from Birmingham into Hurghada on a Monday.

The flight to Marsa Alam or Hurghada normally takes around 5 hours.

From Marsa Alam Airport the journey to Marsa Shagra takes approximately 30 minutes and from Hurghada airport the journey takes approximately 3 hours.

The Red Sea Diving Safari representative will meet you outside the terminal building holding a Red Sea Safari notice. You will need to purchase your $25 US Dollar Egypt entrance visa at the counter in the arrival lounge.

Within your package we include unlimited house reef diving as well as 2 guided orientation dives on your first diving day, further excursions by truck, speed or daily boat are booked and paid for locally.

If you prefer you can upgrade your package to include 10 guided dives from just £25 per person.

Your first dive will be an orientation dive on Marsa Shagra's house reef accompanied by a guide. After this you are free to enjoy Marsa Shagra's unlimited diving set up where you have the freedom to dive in buddy pairs at your own pace and at the time of your choosing. With the waters edge just meters away from the dive shade you can get kitted up and go!

For a small supplement you can opt to take the Guided Package which includes unlimited house reef diving, 2 orientation dives with a guide on the house reef on the first day, and a further 8 zone A dives to be taken from days 2-5. Zone A dives are all of the dive sites accessed from the shore (by truck/microbus) and generally 2 are offered each day.

Unlimited House Reef Diving

Shagra is situated in front of a small bay (Marsa) with a sandy bottom. The dive centre is in front of this bay which is the base for Marsa Shagra's unlimited diving set up. Marsa Shagra bay has a superb house reef which is home to hundreds of marine life species and an excellent variety of soft and hard corals.

The bay is shallow, starting from 1-10 metres in depth and slowly dropping as you reach the outside walls of 40-50m in depth.

High performance speedboats are on standby at your request offering the option of up to 6 different dive patterns within the house reef. These dives are unguided which allows for a real sense of exploration and adventure.

Shore Dives

Zone A dives can be booked on site. These depart twice daily, the first in the morning between 7 and 8am and the second in the afternoon between 1.30 and 2.00pm. Upon arrival at the site your guide will give you a full briefing.

Off Shore Diving

Zone B & C dive sites plus full day excursions, including the opportunity to take a boat or RIB trip to Elphinstone and Shaab Samadai (Dolphin House), can be easily arranged and paid for on site.

Please refer to the 'Diving' section for further information about the zoning systems.

The Restaurant

Marsa Shagra's restaurant offers a wide choice of culinary delights to meet with everybody's taste and palate. A lavish open buffet is served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant also offers alternating theme nights where guests can enjoy different cuisines every night.

All of the meals, plus freshly baked cake each afternoon, are included within your package. Tea, coffee, water and bottled soft drinks are also included. Beer, wine, fresh juices, speciality teas and coffees, ice cream, chocolate and crisps are not included in the package and will be allocated to your room by name, signed for and settled at the end of the week during check out.

Vegetarians and other special dietary requirements are extremely well catered for. Please do let us know in advance regarding your requirements.

The restaurant has a welcoming ambience and an outdoor terrace furnished with natural bamboo artwork. The terrace overlooks a wonderful panoramic view of the tents, desert and the sea, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the sparkling water under the sun during the day and an unforgettable white moon shine over the black night water during dinner. If you're lucky, you can see the dolphins jumping out of the water during your breakfast, it will take your breath away!

Dining TimesBreakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the restaurant at the following times:

Breakfast 06:30h-09:30hLunch 12:00h-14:00hDinner 18:30h-21:30h

The Cafeteria

The cafeteria team will provide you with all inclusive soft drinks, water and tea and coffee from 0530h - 2400h. In order to support efforts to be as environmentally friendly as possible and reduce plastic output, guests will receive one complimentary regular bottle of mineral water that can be refilled at any of the dispensers throughout the village. Alternatively to show support for this project, guests are invited to purchase an RSDS branded cooler bottle. Further bottles of regular bottled water can also be purchased at the cafeteria (€2 small – €3 large).

The cafeteria also serves other beverages, snacks, and item such as; specialty coffees (latte, cappuccino, espresso etc.), diet drinks, beer, chocolate, crisps, ice cream, souvenirs, etc. These items will be billed to your cafeteria list and you pay them at check-out. The cafeteria also sells small souvenirs, toiletries, and other items. If you can’t find what you are looking for in the cafeteria please ask the reception to drive you to one of the local markets. They usually accept foreign currency but it is a good idea to have Egyptian pounds just in case.

The Bubble Bar

The Bubble Bar is the perfect place to relax after a dive & enjoy some snacks (crisps, french fries etc.) and other refreshments. The lounge is located near the restaurant next to the tents; open from 14:00h till 21:00h.

Delicious fresh fruit juices and smoothies, all made with 100% natural ingredients, are served. While savoring your dose of fruits and vitamins you can also indulge your senses with a therapeutic oxygen session. The oxygen session has been highly recommended by Baro-medical and our doctor Hossam Nassef. It’s a perfect place to relax after a dive and breathing oxygen will help rid your bloodstream of excess nitrogen. Oxygen comes in 4 flavors which are; Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint, and Lemongrass.

The Bubble Bar is also an ideal location for presentations, workshop sessions, lectures or simply for groups to spend time together.

Don’t miss the weekly movie night with free popcorn served!

Bawadi Bedouin Lounge

There is an intimate Bedouin lounge right on the beach where you can enjoy traditional drinks, wine, local beer and Sheesha (water pipe). This is the perfect alternative to loud and crowded hotel discotheques - you can simply enjoy a relaxed and calm evening with your family and friends right on the beach. The lounge is just near the royal tents.

Please note that anything purchased at the lounge has to be paid directly.

Snorkelling

Snorkelling is definitely the most enjoyable activity above the spectrum of colors just under these waters. The bays, reef walls and off-shore reefs along the coastline are some of the most pristine underwater habitats in the world. It's very common to run into turtles, reef sharks, or dolphins anywhere along the coastline. It’s important to only enter the water from a designated area like a bay (marsa) or lagoon (halk). Crossing the back reef to enter the water can be dangerous and we recommend that you wear 3mm wetsuit and rubber-soled booties when entering the water.

Kayaking

Enjoy Marsa Shagra's reefs on state of the art catamaran kayaks for up to 2 people, or a clear kayak so as not to miss a second of the underwater wonders.

Desert Excursions

The Eastern Desert of Egypt; a mystical terrain of unexplored desert, mountains and valleys. This expanse of rocks, sand and occasional vegetation has witnessed the rise and fall of many ancient civilizations over the centuries. Stunning trips to the desert are offered to guests through a partner company on site.

Experience a cultural tour with native Bedouin the “Ababda” or a historic tour to visit one of the various ancient ruins and temples in the region.

Choose between trips by camel/horse, sunset-tours, star gazing tours and spend magical moments exploring the desert along the coastline of the south.

Luxor Day Trip

Explore the ancient wonders and mysteries of Egypt, just a 4 hour drive from Marsa Alam city. This is a full day excursion that includes Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Memnon Colossi, Nile Tour, & Karnak Temple. The trip begins early along the Marsa Alam - Edfu road and you will be back to our village by night time.

It is now obligatory that for all PADI courses taken in Egypt, guests must have a manual EACH, no sharing at all, and if purchased before you arrive in Egypt you must provide "proof of purchase" to the dive centre or you will not receive your certification.

Diving Course Supplements (Booked and paid for in advance, in addition to standard diver package):

Scuba Diver (5 dives)

£185.00

Open Water Diver (9 dives)

£260.00

Scuba Diver upgrade to Open Water

£175.00

Open Water Referral (4 dives)

£160.00

Advanced Open Water (5 dives)

£205.00

Emergency First Response

£145.00

Rescue Diver (3 days, excluding equipment)

£260.00

Scuba Review Payable Locally

€ 66

Course Licence Fee Payable Locally

€ 33

Please note the above prices include equipment hire unless otherwise stated and are in addition to the standard diver package price. Please note these prices exclude the PADI licence fee and manual.

Speciality Course Supplements (Booked and paid for in advance, in addition to standard diver package)

PADI or NRC Nitrox Diver (no dives)

£80.00

Nitrox Diver (2 dives)

£115.00

Night Diver (3 dives)

£130.00

Deep Diver (4 dives)

£195.00

Drift Diver (2 dives)

£90.00

UW Naturalist

£90.00

Multilevel Diver

£90.00

Boat Diver

£90.00

Peak Performance Buoyancy

£90.00

UW Photgrapher

£90.00

Certification Fee payable on site

€ 33

Please note the above prices exclude equipment hire and are in addition to the standard diver package price. Please note these prices exclude the PADI licence fee and manual.